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EPSO working groups
EPSO Publications and Statements
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[9.3.2018] EPSO: Comment on the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology: The report was commissioned under the UN Environment programme (UNEP), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). See here original report of the AHTEG and all submitted comments.
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[23.2.2018] EPSO: Plant Biology Europe EPSO/FESPB 2018 Congress, Copenhagen 18-21.6.2018 - EPSO Information, Official conference page. Deadline early registration fee and abstracts for selection of oral presentations is 27 March 2018.
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[22.2.2018] EPSO: Submission to EC consultation “EU funds in the area of investment, research and innovation, SMEs and single market”, highlighting Research and Innovation across the EU as top priority for the EU funds post 2020 to bring European scientists and societies closer together to help build an inclusive, collaborative Europe and world and help achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Completed online questionnaire.
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[20.2.2018] EPSO: Launch of the Horizon 2020 project, CHIC (Chicory Innovation Consortium), studying chicory as a multipurpose crop for dietary fibre and medicinal terpenes. Press release
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[22.1.2017] EPSO: Updated Fascination of Plants Day Success Stories 2017. Over 1000 fascinating events were organised in 52 countries, inspiring worldwide interest in plant science. EPSO welcomes scientists, farmers, industry and educational institutions to join the next official FoPD around 18 May 2019.
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[18.1.2018] EPSO: First reaction on the Advocate General’s Opinion regarding mutagenesis and the Genetically Modified Organisms Directive, welcoming this as an important step in clarifying the GMO directive. EPSO awaits the decision of the Court of Justice of the EU foreseen for 2018.
- [12.12.2017] EPSO: EPSO Young Plant Scientist Award – Winners are Shumei WANG (fundamental plant research) and Andreas CARSTENSEN (applied plant research). EPSO encourages the development of ideas and imaginative thinking in the plant sciences; Shumei and Andreas will present their research at the Plant Biology Europe EPSO/FESPB joint congress in Copenhagen 17-21.6.2018.
- [09.11.2017] EPSO: Autumn Newsletter 2017. Members log in for news on EPSO’s vision for FP9, EPSO’s activities in science advice to policy and science support, and the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-20. Public 2 page version here.
- [7.11.2017] EPSO: Call for applications for the 2nd EPSO Young Plant Scientist Award 2018, 17.8.2017, closed on 12.11.2017; EPSO encourages the development of ideas and imaginative thinking in the plant sciences; Call; with the updated Application form.
- [02.11.2017] EPSO: Briefing on EC Horizon 2020 work programme for 2018-20, on the members’ only website. All information for plant scientists in one document and additional researched information e.g. evaluator database, hints on ERC, partner search.
- [19.9.2017] EPSO: Position on the next EU Framework Programnme for Research and Innovation, FP9, welcoming the continued inclusion of the successful Excellent Science pillar in FP9, and setting out our position for research priorities and mechanisms to engender a mission-based approach to close the research and innovation cycle through increasing support for collaborative basic research, encouraging increased levels of trans-disciplinarity and emphasising the importance of plant science in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- [15.9.2017] EPSO: Opinion on the SAM Explanatory Note on New Techniques in Agricultural Biotechnology, welcoming the science based view on applications and implications including risk and benefits. EPSO calls for urgent action to promote progress in plant science and commercial breeding in Europe to meet challenges for agriculture in due time. EPSO encourages the European Commission to develop options regarding the regulation of new techniques in agricultural biotechnology. EC Explanatory Note, 28.4.2017.
- EPSO: Synthetic Biology should not be confused with the application of new breeding techniques, updated statement, 30.8.2017, reemphasizing that the techniques themselves do not define whether an organism or product is of synthetic origin just by their mere application; and that a synthetic organism should be substantially different from any organism that can occur in nature
- EPSO: Opportunities for Plant Scientists in the COST Programme, providing bottom-up networking opportunities for European scientists, 23.8.2017
- EPSO: Opportunities for Plant Scientists in the European LIFE Programme Call 2017, 18.7.2017. Most relevant are the environmental sub-programmes Nature and biodiversity; Resource efficiency; and Governance / information. The Climate sub-programme is useful too. Most deadlines 7-26.9.2017, some in March 2018.
- EPSO: Opportunities for Plant Scientists within European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), 10.7.2017 Most relevant is the European Regional Development Fund with dedicated funds for the research and innovation theme. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development is useful as it supports the EIP AGRI Operational Groups, and the European Social Fund has openings for higher education institutions. Contact your national managing authority to apply.
- EPSO: Implementing the Nagoya Protocol by national legislation in the countries of Europe, statement, 3.7.2017, asking the European Commission and the Member States to support the adoption of uniform legislation across Europe for the exchange and use of Plant Genetic Resources by applying the multilateral system enshrined in the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). In this way these resources would be subject to the standardized material transfer agreement procedures, which are considered of key importance to sustain future research and breeding activities.
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation “Modernising and simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy”, 2.5.2017, calling for an EU Common Agricultural, Food and Nutrition Policy (CAP+); Research and Innovation driven agriculture; Equal contribution from new/high tech and low tech / tacit knowledge; and Link of policies and decentralisation
- EPSO: Report and recommendations on Plants and Microbiomes from the workshop in Vienna 23.2.2017, published 23.3.2017 and highlighting the concept of Diverse crops with diverse microbiomes for diverse diets and resilient production.
- EPSO: Updated Statement: Crop Genetic Improvement Technologies, 12.01.2017. EPSO acknowledges the interpretation of the EU GMO legislation as both process and product based and considers that this could help to clarify the legal status of the NPBTs. In its update EPSO includes recently published reports from Belgium and Italy.
- EPSO: Submission to the EC consultation on Horizon 2020 Interim Evaluation, 28.12.2016, completed online questionnaire; “Horizon 2020 is a unique opportunity to bring European scientists and societies closer together to help build an inclusive, collaborative Europe and world.” and highlighting urgently needed improvements in the Societal Challenges programmes to increase the impact of Horizon 2020
- EPSO: Synthetic Biology is much more than the application of new breeding techniques, statement 7.12.2016, pointing out that the application of a certain technique or material does not lead automatically to a Synthetic Biology organism or product, and a synthetic organism should be different from any organism found in nature.
- EPSO: Science can help build an inclusive, collaborative and fairer Europe and world, EPSO Newsletter editorial, 14.11.2016
- EPSO: 58 European and Global research organisations call upon the European Parliament to encourage society to respect independent science advice and to condemn physical attacks on scientists. Updated Open letter 7.9.2016, Press information 4.7.2016, see EP President response letter 31.8.2016
- EPSO: Plant Biology Europe EPSO/FESPB 2016 Congress 26-30.6.2016, Prague, EPSO Conference report, including information on science sessions, the science policy session (and presentations), EPSO Conference Support Grants recipients and the very active social media activity and the EPSO Young Plant Scientist Award – winners Ruie LIU and Malaika K EBERT, 05.9.2016
- EPSO: Updated Briefing on Horizon 2020 Work Programmes 2017, All information for plant scientists in one document plus additional researched information. Updated information includes country participation (including UK), final call texts, 2014 call analysis, 24.8.2016
- EPSO: Input towards the European Commission Horizon 2020, Societal Challenge 2 strategy 2018-20, and EPSO online submission to EC consultation SC2, both 25.7.2016
- EPSO: BREXIT: The necessity of avoiding the fragmentation of European Science, Open letter, 15.7.2016. Together scientists can help build an inclusive, collaborating and fairer Europe and world
- EPSO: Briefing on the LIFE Programme Call 2016 for EPSO Members, 14.7.2016
- EPSO: EPSO News Issue 43, 2-page Short Version is available for public access and the Full 12 page version is available in members section, 1.6.2016
- EPSO: Biorefineries Working Group Submission to the EC consultation ‘A sustainable bioenergy policy for the period after 2020', 10.5.2016
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation on PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) in Horizon 2020 (summary reply 23.5.2016), completed online questionnaire 22.4.2016
- EPSO: Analysis of Horizon 2020 Calls in 2014 for plant scientists available in Members Section, 3.5.2016
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation on SC5 - Potential priorities for research and innovation in the 2018-20 Work Programme of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge “Climate action, Environment, Resource efficiency and Raw materials”, 8.4.2016
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation on Potential priorities for research and innovation in the 2018-20 Work Programme of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge “Climate action, Environment, Resource efficiency and Raw materials”, 8.4.2016
- EPSO: Fact sheets on New Breeding Technologies, 21.3.2016. Including: Site-Directed Nucleases (e.g. genome editing), Oligonucleotide-Directed Mutagenesis, RNA-directed DNA-Methylation, Cisgenesis, Grafting using GM plants, Reverse breeding, and Agroinfiltration
- EPSO: Fascination of Plants Day Success Stories 2015, From Bosnia to Bolivia, from South Africa to South Korea, FoPD 2015 truly united a global research community and engaged the public with plant science on an unprecedented scale. Read Success Stories and social media highlights from just some of the 965 events across 56 countries, 29.2.2016
- EPSO: Analysis of the number of preproposal submissions for the 2016 calls of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2, 24.02.2016
- EPSO: Updated Statement: Crop Genetic Improvement Technologies, 18.12.2015; EPSO asks the EC to follow the Member States “New Techniques Working Group” report and provide legal certainty for science and industry regarding application and exploration of New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) to allow the plant sector addressing the Grand Challenges. Interpretation of EU GMO legislation as both process and product based could help to clarify the legal status of the NPBTs
- EPSO: EPSO Young Plant Scientist Award – winners Ruie LIU (fundamental plant research) and Malaika K EBERT (applied plant research). Ruie and Malaika will present their research at the Plant Biology Europe EPSO/FESPB congress in Prague 26th-30th June, 18.1.2016
- EPSO: Updated Briefing on EC Horizon 2020 Official Work Programmes 2016/17, 11.12.2015 Includes all information for plant scientists in one document
- EPSO: Draft report on the EC-EPSO EXPO Conference on ‘Crop genetic improvement technologies’ in Milano published, 17.11.2015
- EPSO: EPSO News Issue 42, 2-page Short Version is available for public access and the Full 12 page version is available in members section
- EPSO Briefing on EC Horizon 2020 Official Work Programmes 2016/17, 19.10.2015 on the members’ only website. All information for plant scientists in one document and additional researched information e.g. success rates WP 2014 calls, NEW: Hints on ERC, Marie-Curie and Societal Challenges proposals, Starting fact and policy collection.
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation on the Role of Research in Global Food and Nutrition Security (summary reply), 1.9.2015; completed online questionnaire
- EPSO: Submission to EC consultation ‘Towards a Long-term strategy for European research and innovation until 2020 and beyond’, submission summary and completed questionnaire, calling to urgently strengthen collaborative basic research, supporting all technologies equally, including improvement of yield and yield stability and plant compounds for human nutrition and health, 3.7.2015. Based on the EC background paper with impact on the 2nd part of the Horizon 2020 and beyond (FP9)
- EPSO: Briefing on ERASMUS+ programme focusing on opportunities for application from EPSO, 18.6.2015
- EPSO: Submission to EC Public Consultation on Framework Programme 7 Calls for better support for collaborative basic research, 26.5.2015
- EPSO: Statement: Crop Genetic Improvement Technologies, 26.2.2015
- EPSO: Statement: Plant breeders’ rights and patent rights, 26.2.2015
- EPSO: Statement: GMO cultivation – national opt-out, 26.2.2015
- EPSO: Discover the Best of Plant Science in Poland, 18.2.2015
- EPSO: Meeting on ‘Forestry research’ initiates a new Working Group, Meeting report | EPSO members are invited to join by contacting us, 25.11.14
- EPSO: Our updated Briefing on Horizon 2020 Calls in 2015 for EPSO Members is now available in the Members Section, 7.11.14
- EPSO: Working Group Meeting ‘Towards longer term partnerships of scientists from Europe and Developing Countries’, Meeting report 16.10.2014
- EPSO: Updated Briefing on the EIP on “Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability” for EPSO Members available in the Members Section, 13.10.14
- EPSO: Submitted input to EC consultation on Science With and For Society, suggesting support for ‘Science with society snowball initiatives that are directly bringing scientists together with society, are interactive, regular and long-term and give the research community the capacity to build their communication activities to the society at large’. 9.10.2014
- EPSO: plant scientists endorse the position of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission_Open letter, 25.7.2014 - contact us at EPSO to become a signatory: Open letter with updated signatures last update: 08.8.2014
- Plant ETP and EPSO: Submission to EC consultation on Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2, 30.6.2014
- FESPB/EPSO Congress 22-26.6.2014, Dublin, Programme
- EPSO: Briefing on the EIP on “Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability” for EPSO Members, 18.06.2014
- EPSO: 13 countries celebrated the unofficial Fascination of Plants Day 2014 | The 3rd Fascination of Plants Day will take place on 18th of May 2015, 18.5.14
- EPSO: Fascination of Plants Day 2013 Success Stories, 21.2.14
- EPSO: Short version of Horizon 2020 Briefing for EPSO Members for Public Access, 17.12.13
- EPSO: Horizon 2020 Briefing for EPSO Members in Members Section, 14.12.13
- EPSO Newsletter November 2013, Full 12 page version is available in members section, 19.11.13
- Horticulture for the 21st Century' Workshop, 11-12.11.2013, Berlin (DE) - Programme | participant list, 13.11.2013
- EPSO: Achievements and Future of EPSO, 1.9.2013
- EPSO: Science Based Policy, 1.9.2013
- EPSO Newsletter September 2013, 29.8.2013
- EPSO Newsletter June 2013, 3.6.2013
- EPSO: Draft statement ‘Opportunities beyond current crops’, 21.5.2013
- EPSO: Comment to editorial A Glover: Is there opportunity in risk and uncertainty?, 5.2.2013
- EPSO Newsletter February 2013, 4.2.2013
- EPSO Newsletter December 2012, 3.12.2012
- H. Hirt: Science first in GM debate, 2.10.2012
- EPSO: International Cooperation, 8.6.2012
- BECOTEPS: The European Bioeconomy in 2030 - Delivering sustainable growth by addressing the Grand Societal Challenges, March 2011 (the White Paper from the BECOTEPS project)
- EPSO: Plant Research to Save the Planet, 12.8.2009
- Global Plant Science Council: EPSO press release 12 August, 2009 ; ASPB press release 18.7.2009
- EPSO: Reply to the Royal Society call for evidence on 'Biological approaches to enhance food-crop production, 2008
- Open letter to EPSO representatives, supporting scientists and personal members, 12.2008
- EPSO: Replies to the Royal Society call for evidence on 'Biological approaches to enhance food-crop production', 20.10.2008
- Open letter to EPSO representatives, supporting scientists and personal members, 1.2008
- Plants for the Future: Strategic Research Agenda, June 2007. Part I, Part II
- EPSO-ESAB: Joint paper from EPSO and European Federation of Biotechnology (ESAB) 'Investing in green and white biotech', 7.2006
- EPSO: 'European plant science: A field of opportunities' - EPSO publication, 6.2005
- EPSO: 'Creating a future for plant research in Europe', 11.2004
- Plant ETP: 'Plants for the future - A European vision for plant biotechnology towards 2025', 6.2004
- EPSO: Response to the European Research Area: 'Securing the future of plant science in Europe - 10 year vision for plant science in Europe', 7.2000